the tennessee hotel I’m obsessed with
and the reason why I have a Google Flight alert for Knoxville
There’s nothing I love more than a good rabbit hole. This one started innocently enough, as many do - scrolling on TikTok. A video came up on my FYP from a travel editor ranking her favorite hotels and Blackberry Farm was the first on her list. Blackberry Farm is a luxury resort in rural Tennessee that has hosted many an influencer brand trip and celebrity event. I wanted to learn more about the property and what it would look like to visit, so I dug a little deeper. And by deeper, I mean researching every aspect of the property, listening to interviews with the current proprietor, and manifesting my own stay. Safe to say, this is at the top of my hotel/vacation wishlist.
This is the first of many hotel deep dives that I plan to do, sharing about independent hotels at the top of my to-visit list. I’ll dive into the history of the property, the unique characteristics, why I want to visit, and more. Andiamo!
The Property: We have Dave and Florida Lasier to thank for the name of this stunning property. The couple purchased the property in the 1930s and as the story goes, while selecting just the right location, Florida snagged her silk stockings in a thicket of blackberry bushes, and the name Blackberry Farm was born. However, the story of present-day Blackberry Farm begins with the Beall family. Sandy Beall, who is the founder of Ruby Tuesday, acquired the property in 1975. His wife, Kreis, eager to share the beautiful property with the public, opened a 6-room inn to the public. Over the past ~50 years, Blackberry Farm has grown beyond the six-bedroom inn to an expansive, 4,200-acre property with a fully functioning farm, 60+ accommodations, a highly lauded culinary program, and more. The property is still in the family and is run by Sandy and Kreis’ daughter-in-law, Mary Celeste Beall. Mary Celeste Beall married Sandy and Kreis’ son, Sam, and together they were the driving force in expanding Blackberry Farm’s presence. After Sam’s unexpected passing in 2016, Mary Celeste Beall took the reins of running the property.
The Accommodations: You have options. The accommodations tend to skew larger (suites, cottages, 3-5 bedroom homes, etc.) than your typical hotel room. My top choice is one of the Carriage House Suites (pictured above). When choosing a hotel room, I’m typically drawn toward amenities/design aspects I don’t have regular access to in my daily life. In this case, it’s a working fireplace and a private terrace, which exist within each of the Carriage House Suites.
If you’re traveling with a larger group or family, the gorgeous Elkmont or American Rob Mill might be good choices. The design aesthetic throughout is fairly traditional, slightly Americana, which is not exactly my personal style, but given the history of the property, it makes sense. Furthermore, Blackberry Farm is an inclusive property, in that most meals are factored into the accommodation pricing.
The Activities: As mentioned earlier, Blackberry Farm is a destination in and of itself and comes packed with vast activity options. One of the reasons that the property stood out to me is the abundance of horse-related activities, which is very on-brand for Natalie Trotta. If I were to visit, I would likely choose the Smoky Mountain Wilderness Ride or Field and Stream Ride to explore the area from horseback. Understanding that not everyone has the same desire to pursue the horse girl life, Blackberry Farm likely has anything you could ever want to do on the property. Spa? Check. Multiple restaurants? Check. Wellness activities, like healing woods yoga, watercolor meditation, or group fitness classes? Absolutely.
Blackberry Farm is one of my main inspirations for the hospitality project I’m exploring. Even though I haven’t personally visited (yet), the way the Beall family and their team continue to intentionally create a space for people to connect through experiencing the beautiful surroundings, events and activity offerings, and a true farm-to-table culinary program resonates with me.
So, hopefully I’ve convinced you to join me on a Blackberry Farm adventure. Any hotels that you’ve been eyeing lately? I’m always on the hunt to add to my “to-visit” list. I hope you have a lovely weekend.
xx NT
*all photos courtesy of Blackberry Farm